Georgia Tech backup quarterback Tim Byerly’s health is in question following Monday’s practice. Byerly left the team’s offices on crutches with a sleeve on his right leg after the team’s second practice of the week in preparation for the Yellow Jackets’ game Saturday against Tulane.
The severity of Byerly’s injury is unclear. If he were unavailable for the Tulane game or longer, Tech would not have much experience behind starter Justin Thomas. The No. 3 quarterback behind Thomas and Byerly in the preseason was walk-on Chase Martenson, but he was not able to play in last Thursday’s season opener because of an undisclosed injury.
Brady Swilling, a walk-on who had moved to B-back from quarterback in the spring, played the last quarter of the 69-6 win over Alcorn State. Matthew Jordan could be an option. Jordan came to Tech as a quarterback last year and practiced there through the spring, but was moved to A-back in the preseason to give him an opportunity to play.
Byerly has been the backup to Thomas since last season, sometimes coming in to play in short-yardage situations. He has earned coaches’ trust with his poise and ability to move the offense. He played in six games last season, rushing 45 times for 204 yards and seven touchdowns. He completed nine of 13 passes for 148 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions.
In the event Thomas were unable to play, “I’m confident that (Byerly) could go in and do very well,” coach Paul Johnson said Monday prior to practice.
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